LESSON 3.—APRIL 19.—THE GREAT CONTROVERSY TRANSFERRED TO THE EARTH.
NOTE.—This series of lessons is entitled, “Studies on the Gospel Message.” For introduction and excellent suggestions as to their study, we refer the student to the Lesson Quarterly.
The controversy between Christ and Satan began in heaven (Rev. 12:7) in a face-to-face combat. Satan was not content with the position he held as Lucifer (Isa. 14:12), or light-bearer, as the name signifies; but he indulged the ambition to “be like the Most High,” and thus be light itself (1 John 1:5) and the source of light. Since light is only a manifestation of life (John 1:4), this was the demand of a created being (Eze. 28:15) to be a source or fountain of life, which could only be granted to the begotten Son (John 5:26), one with the Father, the real Fountain (Ps. 36:9).
Having lost his place in heaven (Rev. 12:7, 8), Satan sought to establish his kingdom in the earth (verse 9). By falsehood (Gen. 3:4), and by transferring his own evil ambition into the human mind (verse 5), he changed a loyal servant of God into a servant of sin and himself (Rom. 6:16), usurped his dominion, and became prince of this world (John 12:31). Christ came to this world to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10. Thus the controversy which was begun in heaven was transferred to this earth. There it was the question of the supremacy of God, through His Son, in heaven; here it is the same question in its relation to man and the earth. Shall the government of God be sustained in the earth, or shall Satan establish an independent kingdom? The Son of God, as Michael, the leader of the angels, conquered Satan in heaven (Rev. 12:7-9), and then, in behalf of man, He undertook, as the Son of Man, to conquer him on earth, and thus to vindicate the righteousness and justice of the government of God, the everlasting King. This is the Gospel of the kingdom. It means a Saviour in our flesh (Luke 2:10, 11), to save from sin (Matt. 1:21), to be the channel of life to man (John 10:10), to destroy the devil (Heb. 2:14), bringing the restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21), and giving to God His rightful place (1 Cor. 15:28).
QUESTIONS.
Where was rebellion first introduced in God’s kingdom?
What was Satan’s original position? What name did he have? What did it signify?
What evil desire worked in his mind? What did he wish to become?
How are light and life related? What, then, was involved in the desire of Lucifer?
What privilege was bestowed upon the Son? What did this show?
What happened to Satan as the result of the war in heaven? To what place was he removed?
With what lie did he begin his effort to lead the human family astray?
What inducement did he hold out as the reward of disobedience?
What change of masters was thus brought about? What did Satan become?
What did Christ undertake to do?
Where was the origin of the rebellion now seen upon the earth? What question was then settled?
What is the question to be settled upon the earth?
Who conquered Satan in heaven? What was His station?
What did He offer to do upon earth? Taking what station? What was the purpose of this?
What is the basis of the good tidings of the kingdom?
How is the work of the Saviour defined by His name?
What does He bring to man?
What result will come to the devil through His work?
What glorious result will finally be brought about?
